Manuel G🔜onzalez has apolo🉐gised after upsetting QJ Motor, the team sponsor for Gresini Racing’s Moto2 outfit.

Gonzalez sported a hachimaki on the starting🅰 grid for last weekend’s Japanese GP after qualifying 14th for ꦇthe Moto2 contest.

The hachimaki is a traditional type of Japanese headband that can be worn either to showcase nationalism or 🅠sporting pride in the nation.

It is likely under the latter context that Gonzalez wore the hachimaki - which sported the number one in kanji - to wear on the grid, whic🤡h QJ Motor claims was given to him by the race organisers. They are yet to comment on the matter. 

Gonzalez went on to win the grand prix.

However, the hachimaki also has associations with Imperial Japan and its brutal♊ity during the Second World War.

It is this that has led QJMotor to release a statement asking for Gresini to r🃏emove Gonzalez from its line-up, owing to Imperial Japan’s violence against China during the Second World War.

The full statement from QJMotor (which has been translated from Chin🎃ese and tided into readable English) reads: “Recently, during the much-anticipated MotoGP race in Motegi, Japan, scheduled for October 2024, the QJMotor (Gresini) team achieved first place with an excellent performance.

“However, a very discordant incident occurred during the race: the Gresini te๊am rider, Gonzalez, without permission wore a decorative accessory from the host country upon the organisers' invitation before the race started, and shared this action on social media.

“Although it was an unintentional gesture due to his lack of knowledge of Chinese history as a European rider, such behaviour offende🧸d the national sentiments of motorcyclists and citizens of China.

“Following the incident, Qianjiang Motorcycle immediately initiated a serious discussion with the Gresini team, requesting that all published images and videos be removed immediately, and demanded that the team cease all collaboration with the involved ꩵrider.

“Since its establishment, Qianjiang Motorcycle has upheld the fundamental principle of "distinctive craftsmanship and pursuing excellence," carefully creating each motorcycle model ♈and striving to perfectly integrate high quality, exceptional performance, and good value for money, receiving wide acclaim in both domestic and foreign markets.

“Qianjiang Motorcycle will always strive to participate in various events, deepening collaboration with competitions to ensure the applicatio🔯n of t⛎echnologies to civilian vehicles, learning and training through racing, and sharing the joy and excitement that these events bring.”

🎀QJ Motor have since vanished from Gresini Racing's official website.

Gonzalez has now apologised: “I'm writing this post to apologise to anyone in China who felt offended by some of my photoꦇs on the grid at the Japanese Grand Prix.

“It was not intended to be a political message, they were instead pictures related to th💝e country hosting the race.

“It was never my intention to disrespect or hurt the sentiment of the Chinese people, it was a thoughtless a𝓰nd involuntary gesture, and I regret it.

“Again, I am terribly sor🧸ry and sincerely wish I can be forgiven and have your support, thank you.”